Texas Tech cornerbacks aren’t putting too much stock into their No. 2 national ranking against the pass.

The Red Raiders surrendered only 85 yards per game through the air during three non-conference games, but those numbers came against inferior, run-heavy offenses, so the unit knows it still has plenty to prove.

That will change soon. Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz is currently 38th nationally at 243 yards per game passing, and with the Cyclones showing more balance on offense, the largely untested cornerback group should have a better barometer of its progress after the two teams meet on Sept. 29.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Neboh said. “It will be our first conference game against a good quarterback, a great group of receivers. It will be a fun test. We just have to be technically sound and come ready to play.”

Tech’s depth at corner has taken a hit over the last week. Senior Cornelius Douglas missed last week’s game against New Mexico with a rib injury (he returned to practice and is likely to play against Iowa State), and Jeremy Reynolds will miss the rest of the season after suffering a major knee injury against the Lobos.

Douglas’ injury opened the door for Bruce Jones, the junior-college transfer who made his first start for Tech on Saturday. Jones graded out well against New Mexico, particularly in run support, and defensive coordinator Art Kaufman said he has been pleased with the newcomer’s progress.

“He’s really come along,” Kaufman said. “Week 1, he had to be third corner. By the time we finished Week 3, he had established himself as the third corner, and I think that’s the big thing. The only way you know if a guy can play is if he gets out there and plays. If he makes mistakes, he has to correct them and move through.”

Neboh said he has noticed Jones doing a better job of taking coaching from Kaufman and defensive backs coach John Lovett, while breaking his “old juco habits.” For his part, Jones said he was inspired for his first opportunity to start.

“I feel like I’ve progressed a lot,” Jones said. “The goal is always to get better every day out here working. Right now I’m just trying to compete for a spot. They gave me a taste last week. I got to start, and now I’m hungry for more. I don’t like that bench thing anymore.”

Kaufman said he’s not worried about the fact that his cornerbacks were only lightly challenged during non-conference play, as he’s confident they are getting prepared daily by Tech quarterback Seth Doege and his deep, talented stable of receivers.

Neboh agrees.

“At the end of the day, you’re not going to see much better than that,” he said. “It’s always good to have good-on-good every day. You never have a day to slack off or take a break or anything.”

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As a corner these guys have to be nasty and look forward to the passing game. If the D line get the necessary push up front and don't allow the QB all day to pass then these guys will have a opportunity to get turn overs.